Hey, I was wondering if anyone knows how one would go about giving the pickups in a bass that "wood" appearance (if you know what I mean) I'm currently planning a 7 string that I would like to build, and this is one of the things I'm interested in. Thanks,
As in from the covers of the ones you already have in there? That'd be hard, cause you'll probly want to melt or cut the pattern into the cover. Depending on the pups you might find you'll be able to make a set of covers yourself, then you'll have a woodlike appearance, very distinctly woodlike... Josh D
I haven't built the bass yet. I'm planning on using Bartolini pickups, but I don't know if I want soapbars or if I want PJs. Making wooden pickup covers? Hmmm, I never thought of that.
Well, yeah, that's how it's usually done. You could also look into faux wood graining. Here's a pretty cool sample. Takes some practice and skill, though (a skill which I happen to lack.) http://www.faux-painting-techniques.com/birds_eye_maple_graining.html
Thanks to everyone who has replied. I think I'll give this painting a try, although I'm not much of a painter. Would a wooden pickup cover have to be made thinner than the plastic one to avoid degrading the sound quality? Are there any other things I should consider if I decide to make a wooden cover?
Bartolinis aren't available without a cover, so you'll have to build super-thin wood covers, and you'll need to move the pickups away from the strings more, which causes loss of output.
